DES MOINES, Iowa — Woodward-Granger junior Peyton Nixon was eliminated Thursday at the Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament.
Nixon (14-9) had reached the state meet at 113 pounds last season and returned this year at 132 pounds. He missed the first half of the season dealing with pars defect, a condition in which discs in his back were out of place possibly causing spinal fraction.
Told his mat career was over, Nixon and his family sought out specialists in Iowa City, who said if physical therapy and pain medication could be endured, the junior could return to to wrestling.
It was all the Hawk standout needed to hear.
Nixon spent the second half of the season working himself back into the condition needed to compete at the highest level. His exertions paid off in a return trip to Des Moines.
He opened action Thursday against Spirit Lake junior Jonathon Burnette (38-3), who scored a win by fall in 1 minute, 14 seconds. Nixon then drew Monticello junior Kate Hansen (38-11) and found himself on the short end of a 7-3 decision.
Nixon finishes his junior season with a career mark of 87-27.
